PHOENIX (Interstat) — Ebuka Okorie scored 32 points to lead Stanford to a 77-68 victory over Colorado in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at Grand Canyon University Arena. The Cardinal, who trailed 35-33 at halftime, used a 44-point second half to pull away. Stanford forced 18 turnovers, converting them into key scoring opportunities. Okorie was efficient for Stanford, which improved to 10-2. Benny Gealer added 13 points for the Cardinal. Colorado, also now 10-2, was led by Barrington Hargress with 16 points and six assists. Sebastian Rancik added 14 points for the Buffaloes. Stanford’s defense held Colorado to just 4-of-17 shooting from 3-point range. The Cardinal attempted 41 free throws, making 28, to help secure the win.

PHOENIX (Interstat) — In a neutral-site clash of teams with identical records and postseason aspirations, the Stanford Cardinal used a formula of defensive pressure, opportunistic offense, and a career-high scoring performance from guard Ebuka Okorie to defeat the Colorado Buffaloes 77-68 on Saturday at Grand Canyon University Arena. The game, a late-December test for both squads, saw Stanford improve to 10-2, while Colorado fell to an identical 10-2. The most decisive phase of the contest came early in the second half, where Stanford transformed a narrow two-point halftime deficit into a commanding lead they would never relinquish. Trailing 35-33 at the break, the Cardinal opened the second period with a blistering 14-2 run over the first four and a half minutes. The surge was fueled entirely by Stanford’s defensive identity. They forced three Colorado turnovers during the stretch, converting them directly into points. Benny Gealer ignited the run with a 3-pointer, and Okorie capped it with a driving layup, pushing Stanford ahead 47-37 and forcing a disorganized Colorado team into a timeout. That sequence proved to be the game’s pivotal turning point. Stanford’s defensive pressure, which produced 14 steals and forced 18 Colorado turnovers, consistently disrupted the Buffaloes’ rhythm. Colorado, which had shot 50% from the floor in the first half, was held to 33 points on 41.9% shooting in the second. The Cardinal converted those 18 giveaways into 22 points, a critical margin in a nine-point victory. “We knew we had to come out with more energy to start the second half,” Stanford coach Kyle Smith said. “Our ball pressure and activity on defense is what fuels us. Getting those live-ball turnovers allows us to get out and play in transition, which is when we’re at our best.” Offensively, Stanford leaned heavily on Okorie, the sophomore from Nashua, New Hampshire. He delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 32 points in just 32 minutes. He attacked the rim relentlessly, drawing 14 fouls and making 16 of his 20 attempts from the free-throw line. His ability to create contact and get to the charity stripe was a constant counter to Colorado’s defensive efforts. Okorie also added two assists and two steals. “Ebuka was tremendous tonight,” Smith added. “He was aggressive, under control, and made big plays whenever we needed them. He carried a heavy load offensively and responded to the challenge.” While Okorie starred, Stanford’s victory was a product of stark statistical advantages beyond turnovers. The Cardinal attempted 41 free throws to Colorado’s 13, making 28. They also won the battle on the glass, securing 10 offensive rebounds leading to 15 second-chance points. Gealer provided crucial support with 13 points, while Chisom Okpara added 11. Oskar Giltay contributed eight points, two blocks, and strong interior defense in 18 minutes. Colorado was led by Barrington Hargress, who finished with 16 points and six assists, though he also committed six turnovers against Stanford’s persistent backcourt pressure. Sebastian Rancik was efficient inside, scoring 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting. Isaiah Johnson added 11 points and four assists off the bench. The Buffaloes shot a higher percentage from the field (47.3% to Stanford’s 40.4%) but were undone by their ball security and Stanford’s volume of free-throw attempts. The first half was a tightly contested affair featuring eight lead changes. Colorado built its largest lead at 29-22 after a Barrington Hargress 3-pointer with just over five minutes remaining. Stanford responded with an 11-4 run to close the half, keyed by a Ryan Agarwal 3-pointer and a Benny Gealer triple, sending the teams to the locker rooms with Colorado clinging to a 35-33 advantage. The second half, however, belonged entirely to Stanford following their game-defining run. Colorado managed to cut the lead to six points on several occasions, but each time Stanford had an answer, often from the free-throw line. A late 3-pointer from Colorado’s Isaiah Johnson brought the Buffaloes within 66-61 with just over two minutes to play, but Stanford closed the game by making 9 of 10 free throws in the final minute to seal the victory. Both teams now look ahead to their final non-conference tune-ups before league play begins in earnest. Stanford will host Cal State Northridge on Dec. 27, while Colorado will welcome Northern Colorado on Dec. 28.